The Lonely Middle.
- Jen Martinelli
- Feb 8
- 13 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
"Set a goal so big that achieving it makes something of you"
🖤 From Jen: The Lonely Middle |
Hi BEAUTISTA fam. I found myself saying this a lot this weekend. “You are the sum of the five people you hang with the most.” And the more I thought about it, the more I realized how true it’s been at every major turning point in my life. If you have big goals, at some point you will outgrow some people. Not because they’re bad people. But because they no longer align with the version of you you’re becoming This is something Matt and I had to learn as we built BEAUTISTA. Conceptually, it sounds obvious. In real life, it’s not. For a long time, I didn’t see it clearly — and I stayed in rooms, conversations, and dynamics that no longer matched where we were headed. When you start doing hard things — showing up earlier, pushing yourself, investing in growth — it quietly shifts relationships. Mediocre people don’t like high achievers, because they’re a mirror of what they’re choosing not to do. I see this play out all the time in youth sports. Parents move their kids to a less challenging team so they can “shine.” At first, the kid looks like the best player. But over time, something shifts. They don’t rise. They regress. They meet the level of the room. Goals work the same way. What no one really prepares you for is the lonely middle. That stretch where you’ve outgrown certain relationships, but you haven’t yet found your new people. The phase where it feels quiet. Sometimes uncomfortable. Sometimes like you might be overthinking it or being too hard on others. I sat in that space for a while. But I realize now - that lonely middle is where the real growth happens. It’s where habits change. Where you start choosing the gym, the seminar, the virtual class, the book, the hard conversation. Where you work without applause. Where you build discipline when no one is watching. And slowly, almost without realizing it, your life starts filling with aligned people — not because you searched for them, but because your habits led you there. At some point, you look up and realize you’re surrounded by people who push you, challenge you, and make you better. That’s when it clicks. The quiet was never emptiness. It was space being made. If you’re sitting in that in-between right now, I feel you. I’ve been there. It’s lonely — but it’s also one of the most powerful seasons of growth you’ll ever experience. And if you haven’t looked closely at the five people you spend the most time with lately, I’d encourage you to do that. Not with judgment. With honesty. Sometimes growth asks you to change the room before it gives you the result. xoxo -Jen Martinelli _____________________________________________________________________________ 🚀 The Shift: Weekly Mindset + Strategy Upgrade.Audit the room.Take inventory of the five people, environments, and voices you spend the most time with. Not to judge them. Not to cut people off dramatically. Just to notice. Ask yourself:
This isn’t about ambition at all costs. It’s about alignment. High-growth seasons require different rooms. Different standards. Different conversations. And sometimes the shift is realizing that the room you’re in isn’t wrong — it’s just no longer where you’re meant to grow. You don’t need to announce the change. You don’t need to explain it. Just start choosing rooms that reflect where you’re going — not where you’ve been. That’s the shift. _______________________________________________________________________________ 🎙️ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) Last week was stacked — and if you missed any of it, the replays are now live. Here’s the highlight reel from across color, blonding, cutting, texture, retail, and business-building: 🎨 Color, Gloss & Blonding
✂️ Cutting, Styling & Texture
💼 Retail, Client Retention & Growth
Every class was designed to help you:
👉 Watch on demand and catch what you missed (Pro tip: Pick one replay that directly supports what you want to earn or improve this month — and start there.) _____________________________________________________________________________ 💻 Tech-Forward:Where tech meets beauty (and your next big move begins).AI Prompts to Build a Better Onboarding ExperienceHiring is just the first step. What most students and professionals are really asking about — before they say yes — is onboarding. They want clarity. They want structure. They want to know:
This is where many beauty businesses lose momentum — not because they hired the wrong person, but because the onboarding experience felt unclear, inconsistent, or overwhelming. Step 1: Set the Context (Do This First)Prompt to use before anything else: Act as an expert salon/spa operations and onboarding consultant. Before creating anything, ask me the questions you need to understand my business — including team size, services offered, experience level of hires, culture, and goals. Once you have that information, create clear, practical onboarding systems tailored to my salon/spa. This single step is what turns AI from generic → actually helpful. Step 2: Use These Prompts (After It Asks You Questions) 1. Personalized 30-Day Onboarding ChecklistPrompt: Using the information I shared, create a 30-day onboarding checklist for a new [stylist / esthetician / front desk team member]. Focus on confidence, guest experience, service flow, and culture — not overwhelm. 2. Ramp-to-the-Floor Timeline (Set Expectations Early)Prompt: Based on my salon’s structure and expectations, create a clear ramp-to-the-floor timeline for a new [role] in a salon showing when a new hire observes, assists, and begins taking clients independently. Include expectations for each phase. 3. First Week “What to Focus On” GuidePrompt: Write a first-week focus guide for a new salon/spa team member. Include what to prioritize, what not to stress about yet, and how success will be measured in week one. 4. Common “What Do I Do If…” ScenariosPrompt: Create a list of common “what do I do if…” situations for a new salon hire, with clear, calm responses that align with a positive guest experience and team culture. 5. 30–60–90 Day Growth Path (Retention Builder)Use this when: You want people to see a future — not guess at it. Prompt: Using my goals and expectations, Create a 30–60–90 day growth plan for a new [role] in a salon/spa, including skill development, confidence milestones, and performance expectations. 6. Culture & Expectations (Set Once, Reinforce Often)Prompt: Write a clear, welcoming explanation of salon culture, expectations, and standards for a new team member. Keep it supportive, professional, and motivating. ______________________________________________________________________________  What we're learning from Hiring Funnels: Everyone says they want the same hire: A seasoned artist. A full book. Ready to go. What most people don’t stop to think about is what it actually takes for that person to move.A fully booked stylist isn’t scrolling job posts casually. They’re busy. They’re stable. They’ve built trust where they are. For them to consider leaving, the timing has to be right — and the opportunity has to feel worth the pain of change. That’s the part most salons miss. Hiring seasoned talent isn’t about urgency — it’s about timing.Marketing research consistently shows that it takes 7–13 touchpoints for someone to convert on a meaningful decision. Hiring is no different — and arguably more emotional than buying a product. A seasoned artist doesn’t wake up one day and apply. They:
If you’re not already in front of them at that moment, you miss it. Recruitment marketing is what most salons skip.The salons that struggle the most are the ones who only market when there’s an empty chair. That’s when panic sets in. That’s when expectations get unrealistic. That’s when everyone wants a unicorn now. The salons that win do the opposite:
They treat hiring like brand building, not emergency response. This is also why student pipelines outperform “last-minute” hiring.We consistently see that salons who:
…don’t end up desperate for a fully booked artist later. They’re growing them. They’re nurturing them. They’re building loyalty before pressure exists. And over time, the frantic search for a “seasoned stylist with a full book” fades — because their pipeline is always warm. The real shiftHiring isn’t about filling a chair. t’s about being top of mind when someone is finally ready to move. Because when hiring feels urgent, it’s already late. The strongest teams are built when conversations start early. 👉 See what every empty chair is costing you → Employee Loss Calculator 👉Book a 20-min audit with Matt → Optimize your Job ad copy ______________________________________________________________________________ 🔥 What’s Happening:Virtual Live Events You Don’t Want to Miss_______________________________________________________________________________  Next Live Virtual ClassesThis week’s education lineup is a strong mix of seasonal care, advanced color, textured hair mastery, and retail-driven services — the exact skills pros are leaning into right now to stay booked and profitable. ❄️ Winter Hair, Scalp & Wellness FocusBecause dry scalps and brittle hair don’t fix themselves.
🎨 Color, Formulation & Creative MasteryFrom foundational confidence to editorial-level artistry.
🧬 Texture, Treatments & High-Demand ServicesSkills clients are actively asking for.
💼 Retail, Revenue & Professional EdgeBecause expertise converts.
✂️ Craft, Tools & Technical Confidence
👉 Explore the full class lineup anytime at beautista.com/classes (And if you’re reading this as a salon owner or educator — send your team. One class can shift an entire culture.) _______________________________________________________________________________ 👀 Watch This Space(Jobs Worth Seeing) 👀 Watch This Space — Style Studio, 📍 El Dorado Hills, CAStyle Studio is quietly doing something a lot of stylists are asking for—but rarely find.🚀 Open Roles: - Hairstylist - Co-Stylist - Associate Program If you’re a stylist looking for a team that actually supports your growth, your craft, and your life outside the chair, Style Studio by Wendy Hunt is an opportunity worth your attention. Located inside the vibrant Nectar at the Villa complex in El Dorado Hills, Style Studio isn’t just another salon — it’s a creative home built with intention, community, and longevity at its core. Why Stylists Are Choosing Style Studio📍 A Culture of Support, Not Pressure This salon was designed for stylists who don’t want to figure everything out alone. From the day you walk in, you’re in a space where collaboration, mentorship, and education are built into the work experience — not tacked on later. 🎓 Education You Can Use Here, education isn’t a once-a-year thing — it’s part of everyday growth. With in-salon mentorship, visiting artists, guest educators, and structured opportunities to refine your craft, you’re constantly leveling up. 🌿 Sustainability + Premium Experience Style Studio partners exclusively with Davines, a global eco-conscious brand focused on sustainable luxury. That means stylist education and guest experiences are supported by premium products that align with healthy hair and mindful beauty. 🍷 Community Vibes + Great Space Located inside Nectar at the Villa — a salon and social space known for fun, events, and even a beer + wine license — this environment helps stylists feel at home, not stuck behind the chair Who Can Thrive HereHere are the roles being highlighted and what makes each one appealing: Stylist
Co-Stylist
Associate Program
Why Stylists Love ItHere’s what makes Style Studio different from many other opportunities:
If you’re seeking a salon where you’re more than just a chair, where your growth is intentional, and where artistry and support co-exist — this is one worth exploring. 👉 Apply with your BEAUTISTA portfolio and step into the kind of environment stylists aren’t just working in — they’re loving. ______________________________________________________________________________  🎤 Educators Wanted: Your Dream Role Just Went Live Ready to teach, inspire, and represent iconic brands? 💥 Educator roles at Pureology, Matrix and Kérastase are now LIVE on BEAUTISTA. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a rising educator, this is your moment. _______________________________________________________________________________ 🔦 BEAUTISTA Spotlight Slay Smith (Keanu)Muskegon, MI • Student“I am built on resilience, responsibility, and faith.” That’s the first thing Slay Smith tells you in his portfolio — and everything that follows backs it up. Slay isn’t just learning cosmetology. He’s living it with intention. As a student at Moored Beauty Schools – Nuvo College of Cosmetology, Slay has already built a portfolio that reflects discipline, leadership, and professional maturity far beyond where most students are at this stage. You can feel it in how he writes. You can see it in how he shows up. He talks openly about adversity, responsibility, and faith — not as buzzwords, but as foundations. Those values show up in his work ethic, his consistency, and the way others naturally look to him for guidance inside his school community. He’s already mentoring peers. Already leading by example. Already understanding that representation matters. What’s especially impressive? The depth of his certifications and achievements while still a student. From nationally recognized fashion and editorial experiences to competitive awards and specialized training across makeup, wigs, creative styling, and special effects — Slay has taken full ownership of his education. He didn’t wait for someone to tell him what to pursue. He sought it out. He committed. He followed through. And that’s the thread that runs through his entire portfolio: Structure. Excellence. Intention. His “Why I’m Here” section says it best — he’s not looking for shortcuts. He’s looking for environments that value accountability, high standards, and real mentorship. Spaces that challenge him creatively and professionally. Places where preparation is respected and discipline is the baseline. This is what happens when a student treats their career like a responsibility, not a gamble. Slay’s portfolio isn’t just a collection of work. It’s a signal. To schools. To businesses. To brands. It says: I’m ready to represent something bigger than myself. Want this kind of experience and impact for your students? Reach out to jeneanne@beautista.com and we’ll show you how to make it happen. ______________________________________________________________________________ 💫 WE WANT TO FEATURE YOUHave a story about how BEAUTISTA helped or inspired your career? Email us at hello@beautista.com to be spotlighted in an upcoming issue.💡 BEAUTISTA Tips & Tricks Why Video Works — Backed by Research (Not Just Best Guess)You already know that having a BEAUTISTA portfolio or career opportunity puts you ahead of the old resume game. But adding video takes that clarity a step further — and there is research that supports why. Here’s how video actually impacts engagement, perception, and connections (for both members and business owners): 1. Video Boosts Engagement & AttentionMultiple content analyses show that video captures and holds attention far better than text or still images. People retain more of what they see and hear than what they read alone — and visuals + speech create faster connection. This effect isn’t just “social media hype.” In marketing studies, viewers retained far more information from video than text, which means profiles and opportunity pages with video can convey nuance that static content can’t. 2. Recruitment Videos Drive Higher Candidate EngagementRecruitment marketing research shows that video content generates 200–300% more engagement than traditional text content when used in hiring outreach. That means:
Whether you’re a business owner posting a career opportunity or a member introducing yourself, video simply gets seen. 3. Video Helps Build TrustStudies of short-form video show that when content clearly conveys usefulness, ease of understanding, and emotional connection, it boosts trust and intention to act — whether engaging with a brand or considering next steps. In plain terms:
That’s powerful when someone is scanning your profile or evaluating a role. 4. Recruiters & Talent Pros Report Strong ROI from VideoIndustry practitioners consistently report that video improves hiring outcomes:
What This Means for YouFor MembersVideo introduces you as a person, not just a resume. You let future employers hear your voice, see your energy, and feel your presence. That’s the kind of clarity that makes you memorable — and it often leads to more conversations faster. Good video doesn’t need perfect production. It needs presence, clarity, and authenticity. For Business OwnersVideo clarifies culture and expectations before the first message. Career opportunities with video allow candidates to understand your team, space, and story before they even apply — which means more aligned applicants and fewer mismatches. Video previews who you are in ways text alone can’t communicate, shortening the path from discovery to interview. _______________________________________________________________________________ 💌 Pass It OnKnow someone who needs this kind of real talk in their beauty journey? Share The TRIMM with a fellow BEAUTISTA and help them grow, too. |
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